When Jacopo thinks back to his 17-year-old self, he remembers someone easy-going, energetic, and excited about what life might bring. At the time, his main motivation for becoming an exchange student in the United States was simple. He wanted to improve his English.
He was also curious about the cultural experience, but he didn’t yet realize how much it would shape him.
One of his most meaningful memories from the year was a CHI-organized trip to Yosemite. There, he met exchange students from around the world. For the first time, he was surrounded by people who, despite coming from different countries, shared similar fears, goals, and experiences.
“That moment changed how I see myself, my place in the world, and how I relate to others,” he reflected.
Over time, the impact of his exchange became even clearer. It gave him confidence, independence, and the ability to make decisions he might not have considered before.
After completing his Bachelor’s degree in Italy, Jacopo found himself dissatisfied with his university experience. Instead of staying on a familiar path, he chose something different. Without hesitation, he applied to universities across Europe, a decision he believes he would not have made without his exchange year.
He went on to earn a Master’s degree in engineering in Sweden. When he was later offered a job there, he accepted. More recently, he decided to move to Belgium. Each step built on the same mindset his exchange experience helped develop: openness, confidence, and a willingness to step into the unknown.
“I do not think I would have been able to make any of these choices, and for sure not with the same ease of mind and confidence, if it were not for what the exchange year had taught me.”
Today, Jacopo works in cybersecurity and has lived in four countries, spending seven years abroad. His life reflects the long-term impact of cultural exchange, not just in where he lives and works, but in how he sees the world.
He has also maintained connections from his time in the U.S. He has reunited with his host family, even serving as best man at his host dad’s wedding, and continues to carry those relationships with him.
Looking back, what began as a goal to improve language skills became something much bigger. It opened the door to new opportunities, new places, and a global perspective that continues to shape his life today.
